School has started again, the air outside is cooler and the leaves have started to change colors. For Scouting, these things signal the beginning of a very exciting season!

Be A ScoutEvery September, Scout leaders across the country take a deep breath after the summer camping season and dive head first in Join Scouting Nights. Here at National Capital Area Council, we are looking to register 10,000 boys as Scouts and working hard to encourage girls and boys between the ages of 14 and 20 to consider Venturing and Exploring. Talk to your family, neighbors, friends and colleagues about how the programs of Scouting can make a positive, life-changing impact on their children. Let them know that they can check out a pack, troop, ship, crew or team near them – or find out about volunteer opportunities – by going to www.BeAScout.org.

Popcorn PowerOur annual popcorn sale is in full swing, providing a great way for Scouts to learn valuable salesmanship skills while helping units fund their year-round program activities. This year, there are more great treats to choose from – like Sour Cream & Cheese Corn and Milk Chocolatey Pretzels – and great new prizes for Scouts to earn. As always, there’s the opportunity to donate popcorn to our brave military men and women as well as great gift ideas for the holidays for family, friends, staff and clients. Be sure to check out Trail's End's website as well as NCAC’s new Popcorn Facebook page for all the latest details.

Prepared. For Adventure.NCAC is getting a jump on its 2013 theme – Prepared. For Adventure. – with the Fall Outdoor Expo at Camp William B. Snyder. Climb rock walls, practice your aim through various shooting sports opportunities and gain hands-on experience through STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math)-related activities. There will be food, fun and fellowship for people of all ages, so don’t miss out.

Scouting for FoodNovember provides a fantastic opportunity for our entire Council to pull together as one family and offer support for our neighbors in need. The 26th Annual Scouting for Food drive begins on Nov. 3 with Scouts and Scouters delivering bags and doorhanger notices in their local neighborhoods to let residents know they will be back on Nov. 10 to collection donations. You may also see Scouts collecting food outside local Safeway stores. Capital Area Food Bank, one of our partners in this project, reports a 30-100% increase in food assistance requests due to job loss, the economy, high cost of housing, lack of health care and other issues, so let’s all do our ‘good turn daily’ by supporting this critical community service project.

I’m ConnectedHave you accepted the NCAC Challenge? Launched by our Council earlier this year, this program is open to Scouts and Scouters at all program levels and can be worked on throughout your Scouting career. For the next few months we’ll be focusing on Challenge #4: I’m Connected. This challenge encourages Scouts to learn more about their own culture and others and to reach out to those different from themselves, whether because of religion, nationality or disability. Scouts will have a special opportunity to get "connected" this year at the Fall Outdoor Expo as they join with nearly a million other Scouts from around the world to participate in the annual Jamboree on the Air, using amateur radio and internet to learn about Scouting in other nations and make globe-spanning friendships.

Please share this newsletter with the new parents and leaders in your unit, and I look forward to seeing you at Camp Snyder on Oct. 20!

To find the nearest pack, troop, ship, crew or team visit BeAScout.org.

New NCAC Staff

Philip Barbash, District Executive, Prince George’s District: Philip graduated from Marquette University with a BA in Corporate Communications & Philosophy. A native Washingtonian, he is a Life Scout and has served on staff at Goshen Scout Reservation for ten summers, including three years as Camp Director for Camp Bowman.

The Fall 2012 Voice of the Scout, a nation-wide survey that asks our members what Scouting is doing well and where it needs improvement, has officially begun! Email invitations began going out on Monday, September 24 and will continue being mailed out for the next two weeks. Some email providers have been accidentally tagging the invites as spam, so check the "Junk" folder for yours. When you get your invitation please complete the survey before Wednesday, October 24 to make sure your Voice is heard!

The introduction of the new STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) Nova and Supernova awards brings a fresh opportunity to volunteer! A Nova counselor can be any registered adult age 21 or older.

Supernova mentor is a new position requiring a separate registration and adult leader form. Mentors must be 21 or older, be a subject-matter expert in a STEM field, have current Youth Protection Training, complete the Supernova Awards Mentor Information application and be approved by the Council STEM Committee. This is a non-unit position that requires no fee.

Scouts have served at every presidential inauguration since Woodrow Wilson’s in 1913. We anticipate that our service will be needed for the 2013 Inauguration, which will be held on Monday, January 21st. Currently, we are inviting troops, crews and posts to participate. Once the Presidential Inaugural Committee is organized and they decide how they would like the Scouts to participate, interested units will be contacted with specific responsibilities.

The Silver Beaver Award is the highest recognition awarded to volunteers at the Council level. Recipients are selected in recognition of their dedicated service to local youth both in and out of Scouting. Anyone is welcome to submit a nomination, and all nominations are due into the Council office by November 30, 2012. To access the online nomination form, click here.

Coming Events

Neediest Kids Golf Tournament – Oct 1-7

Each year the Neediest Kids Championship attracts some of the best professional golfers from around the world for a week of world-class golf competition, multiple Pro-Ams, youth activities, military appreciation events and much more. This year's tournament week is already underway, and runs through Sunday, October 7 at Avenel Farm.

Tickets sold through the Council website will help generate funds for NCAC's Scouting programs. There will be opportunities for Scouts and leaders to volunteer to help during the event and receive tickets for their service. For more information or to purchase tickets, click here.

2013 Budget Development Meeting – Oct 9

The Council will be conducting its final meeting to share our 2013 operating budget plan on Tuesday, October 9 at 7pm at MSSC. The objective for this meeting is to present a balanced budget incorporating the goals development in concert with Council and district volunteer leadership as well as feedback from the September 25 open budget meeting. Volunteers in attendance at this October meeting will be asked to recommend the budget to our Council Executive Committee. The final budget will be presented to the Council Executive Committee on October 23 and submitted for approval by the Council Board of Directors in November. This meeting is open to all volunteers, chartered organization representatives and parents.

Questions can be directed to NCAC CFO/Director of Support Service Derrick Clark.

V3 Hike-o-ree – Nov 2-4

The 23rd Annual V3 (Venturing, Varsity, and Venture) Hike-o-ree will be November 2-4, 2012, at the Northern Virginia 4-H Educational Center, Front Royal, VA. Registration is open to all Scout units including Venturing crews, Sea Scout ships, Varsity teams, and Boy Scout troops, and is limited by the site’s trail capacity.

To reserve a particular hike, an initial deposit of $60 per trail crew is due by October 12. The deadline to request T-shirts is October 20. For more information and a description of the available trails, visit www.boyscouts-ncac.org/hikeoree.

NCAC’s Friends of Scouting (FOS) Chairman Dan Witt cordially invites you to attend the Council’s annual FOS Campaign Kickoff Dinner. Guests will be invited to make their 2013 pledge that event. Limited hosting and sponsorship opportunities are available. More information coming soon!

Outdoor Adventure

Goshen Scout Reservation

Want To Work At Goshen?Goshen is always looking for excited Scouts and Crew members to be a part of the GSR staff family. As a staffer, you learn how to overcome challenges, work with adults and youth, be a part of a team, manage projects, and earn your keep. Our staff members have become leaders in their high schools and universities, with teachers and professors commenting on the fervor with which Goshen Staffers are able to work and produce meaningful results. If you or someone you know is interested in this opportunity, interviews will take place during the first few weeks of January. For more information, please send an email to GSR Camping Director Gary Carroll.

Venturing At GoshenIn 2013 Goshen will become the first and only BSA camp to offer comprehensive Venturing advancement every week, all summer long! Nationally, less than 2% of Venturers earn advancement each year. At Goshen’s Camp Bowman on the shores of beautiful Lake Merriweather, new and experienced crews can jumpstart their advancement programs by joining this elite group. In just two weeks, Venturers can earn the Outdoor Bronze Award and complete requirements for their Ranger, Gold and Silver Awards. Local crews have been beta-testing the program for three years now and can testify that Venturers are in for a great two weeks of fun and advancement, including the ever-popular COPE program!

Join us at Goshen next summer to take advantage of this unique opportunity and be Prepared. For Adventure.

Fall Outdoor Expo – Oct 20
Join us on October 20 for a fun day of outdoor adventures with the whole family! Continuing the tradition started by last year's NCAC100 event, the Fall Outdoor Expo offers a wide variety of activities for Scouts of all ages and their families, making it a great opportunity for a day trip or weekend camp out. Activities offered include:

Climbing tower

Shooting sports

Food vendors from across the region

Hands-on educational displays

STEM programs

Rides and games

....and much, much more!

New activities are still being added so visit the Outdoor Expo Website for the latest information and to register. Interested in being part of the Expo as a vendor or exhibitor? Click here for more information.

Looking for High Adventure opportunities? The High Adventure Committee is here to help! There is still room for individual Scouts in the 2013 contingents at Lenhok’sin, Philmont and Sea Base. Already planning a trip? Let us take the mystery out of planning your adventure. Training is available to help remove the guess work, allowing you and your Scouts to focus on having the time of your life!

The October popcorn order is due on Friday, October 5. Please turn your orders in as soon as possible and remember that the final popcorn order is due on Friday November 16, but Scouts can keep selling online until December 31!

It's Hip To Use Square!

On the NCAC Popcorn Facebook page, many unit kernels are reporting an increase in sales from using the Square credit card reader. Using this tool, Scouts can conduct credit card transactions with an iPhone, iPad or Android phone, allowing them to reach potential customers who may not be carrying cash. One unit used Square to generate 97 new sales in the month of September alone!

Have friends or relatives who live out of the area but would love to support your popcorn sale? Send them a personalized email! They can order online, pay using their credit card…and Trail's End ships directly to them. They get their tasty treats without ever leaving the comfort of their home or office and you get more sales to help pay for camp! Plus, the top online seller each week will win a $50 Wal-Mart gift card! To get started, go to scouts.trails-end.com and sign in or create an account.

Want more chances to win? Fax in your full order sheet each week to be entered in a drawing for a $50 Wal-Mart gift card! Fax your sheets to 301-564-9513 or email them to Lisa Snip. The Wal-Mart gift card promotion runs through December 3, 2012.

Pow Wow is a supplemental, action-packed training event for Cub Scout leaders, pack committee members, parents of Cub Scouts and anyone interested in Cub Scouting! Spend the day learning new program ideas and get hands-on experience that will enhance your ability to deliver and support a fun-filled, exciting program! Details will be offered at October roundtables and more information as well as the full course schedule can be found at www.BoyScouts-NCAC.org/powwow. Online registration is now available.

Save the Date: University of Scouting – February 23, 2013

University of Scouting is a supplemental, action-packed training event for Scout leaders from all program levels and anyone interested in Scouting! Spend the day learning new ideas and get hands-on experience that will enhance your ability to deliver and support a fun-filled, exciting program! Watch for more information starting in January 2013.

Wood Badge

Attention: All adult Scout Leaders!
Wood Badge is designed to meet the advanced leadership needs of all Scouters, including Cubmasters, Scoutmasters, Varsity Coaches, Venturing Advisors, committee chairs, den leaders and other unit, district and council leaders. The Wood Badge course incorporates more than 80 years of traditions while adding the management and leadership training necessary to become a successful leader in the 21st Century.

Please take a minute to read the NCAC Wood Badge flyer, then complete the registration form to add your name to the next course roster. NCAC‘s Wood Badge courses fill up quickly so register soon!

Did you know that during the National Jamboree the Summit will become the second largest city in West Virginia? There's still time to be part of the excitement! Currently NCAC is sending 9 troops and 1 crew. To sign up for your spot go to www.bsajamboree.org.

For Scouts and leaders who have already signed up, your first payment of $300 is due. The next payment due is $400 on January 5, 2013.

Gathering of Eagles

NOESA Nomination Deadline Extended To October 31

Gathering of Eagles is currently accepting nominations for the 2012 NESA Outstanding Eagle Scout Awards. Download the NOESA guidelines and nomination form to learn more. All nominations must be submitted to GOEawards@scouting.org by October 31 for consideration. If you are a member of a district committee, please encourage district leaders to nominate a member of the community or worthy Scouters.

At last month’s Opportunity Nation Summit, Learning For Life’s Exploring program released the results of its 2011 Career Interest Survey of more than 271,000 young adults. The top 10 career interests were nursing, military service, musician, attorney/law, teaching, business, health care, acting, fashion design, and psychology. Exploring provides a platform for young adults to investigate opportunities in these fields and other high-ranking career from the survey. To view the survey, visit www.exploringyourcareer.org. To learn more about Exploring, visit exploring.learningforlife.org.

Commemorative Eagle Scout Centennial Council Shoulder Patch

A limited run of 2,000 Council Shoulder Patches (CSP) commemorating the 100th anniversary of the first Eagle Scout award, presented to Arthur Eldred in August 1912, is now available! The CSPs are available for $5 each at the MSSC or online through December 31, 2012, or until the inventory is exhausted. No more CSPs of this design will be produced.

Scout Shop

Weekly SpecialsThere's a new special offer in the Scout Shop every week this fall!
Visit either location for great deals on:

Holiday Hours
The Scout Shops will be open on Veteran's Day (Nov 12). We will be closed on Thanksgiving (Nov 22), and reopen on Friday, November 23 so you can start your holiday shopping in Scouting style!

Boy Scouts of America Discover® Prepaid Card Now AvailableWith the Scout Prepaid Card, parents will be teaching their Scout how to manage money wisely. This is NOT a credit card, but a prepaid, reloadable card that can be replenished from any bank account. It’s a great way for Scouts to manage their daily spending, and it’s safer and more convenient than carrying cash. This card will be available on November 15, 2012, so visit www.BoyScoutCreditCard.com and stay tuned for additional information.

Join the National Scouting Alumni Association
Stay up to speed on what's happening in Scouting no matter where you live and help youth experience the excitement, challenges, and adventure that Scouting has to offer. Join today to receive the Alumni Alive! e-newsletter, free one-year membership to the National Scouting Museum, a welcome packet containing an embossed affiliation card, lapel pin, luggage tag and window cling, and much much more! Go to www.BSAalumni.org for more information.

Community Opportunities

DC United vs Columbus Crew – Oct 20

DC United would like to invite local Scouts to participate in the second and final Scout night of 2012 as they take on the Columbus Crew and battle for a playoff spot! Take advantage of discounted tickets (available for all participants, including friends and families), on-field experiences, recognition, and pre game tailgating.

For more information or to purchase Scout Night tickets, please contact James Armold at 202-587-5479 or jarmold@dcunited.com.

Operation Supply Drop – Oct 21

The Tysons Corner Microsoft Store will be collecting gently used or new games and console equipment on three Sundays – October 21, November 4 and November 11 – 11am–5pm. All collected gaming equipment will be sent to soldiers in Afghanistan. Gaming is one of the most popular activities for soldiers overseas and on base.

Scouts should collect the equipment at their meetings and assign a representative to bring it to the store. Microsoft will keep a running tally of how much each unit donates. The unit that brings in the most will win a Tysons Microsoft Store party including gaming, pizza and prizes!

Join thousands of county residents who will volunteer in order to make a difference on the County’s 26th annual Community Service Day on October 27, 2012! To see which community organizations have posted projects, post your own project or sign up to help, visit the Montgomery Serves website. Community Service Day projects are approved for Student Service Learning (SSL) hours.

Maryland Orienteering Day – Oct 27

All troops and crews are invited to the 36th Maryland Scout Orienteering Day on Saturday, October 27. This annual day of orienteering instruction & fun is at Patuxent River Park's Jug Bay Natural Area on the Prince Georges--Anne Arundel border just south of Upper Marlboro. For more information, click here.

Through hands-on activities, guided hikes and live animal encounters, completing your badge at the Philadelphia Zoo is both rewarding and fun! Join us for an overnight adventure or daytime Scout workshop. Dates are offered throughout the year. For more information, click here or call Jennifer Labows (215-243-5275).

Welcome to the Big Apple Circus LEGENDARIUM, where you will experience the nostalgic thrills of historic Big Tops and get a first-hand view of beauties, daredevils, and clowns from another era! September 20-October 8, 2012 at Dulles Town Center.

HOW TO ORDER: Use Promotional Code "SCOUT" when ordering online at www.bigapplecircus.org and print your tickets at home. Or call 1-877-407-8497 for orders over 15.

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